By Mike Samuels
As reported by Grand Rapids Press columnist David Mayo it looks as though the potential blockbuster welterweight title fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao is all but finalized and will happen on March 13, 2010, instead of sometime in the spring, as previously reported.
With all parties apparently in agreement, the boxing world should be buzzing with excitement. After all, Pacquiao and Mayweather are the consensus Nos. 1 and 2 pound-for-pound fighters in the sport, the first time two such talented fighters will be facing off since 1999, when most boxing experts had Oscar De la Hoya and Felix Trinidad similarly rated prior to their bout.
This event is the Super Bowl of the sport and boxing is continuing its fine tradition of marring great fights with controversy by reporting Mayweather is requesting the fight take place above the welterweight limit of 147lbs – at junior middleweight, to be exact – with 10oz gloves, not the welterweight mandated 8oz gloves that would favor a power puncher like Pacquiao.
Look, I’m disappointed that such a report has gained so much attention, but I can’t honestly say I’m surprised. I understand controversy sells and sports are more about dollars and cents than actual competition in this day and age. Believe me, I do. But boxing doesn’t need any question marks or bogus water-cooler conversation leading up to this fight. The sport’s two best fighters meeting face-to-face in the center of the ring to decide who the better man is provides enough incentive for the public to tune in and destroy – from a financial standpoint, of course – anything the UFC has ever put on PPV (are you listening, Dana?)
Boxing doesn’t have a clue, which is why it is continuously maligned in the major sports industry. Negative issues of the sport – ring deaths, high PPV prices and controversial decisions – are always shoved down the public’s throat via the mainstream media, with no mention of any of the great things the sport has accomplished.
Frankly, that approach is too vanilla. Mayweather-Pacquiao deserves so much more. Fights like this do not happen every day, let alone every decade. So I’ve decided to help pique the interest of this fight by highlighting some facts (and fictions) on the fighters, hopefully putting all the negativity and doubt to rest once and for all.
Manny Pacquiao
- Weighty Issue: The bout will take place at 147 lbs, the welterweight limit. I’m sure Freddie Roach would rather it take place at manny-weight, like Pacquiao’s fights with De la Hoya and most recently Miguel Cotto. Not going to happen, folks.
- Wear and Tear: Pacquiao looked sensational in knocking out Miguel Cotto on November 14. A March 13 fight date will only give him just over three months to rest and prepare for Mayweather. Fear not. For all this flaws, Freddie Roach is not a moron. He would not have agreed to such a quick turnaround if he wasn’t 100 percent certain his guy could win.
- Politics, As Usual: Originally the fight looked to be set up on May 1, 2010. But due to Pacquiao’s political aspirations in his native Philippines on May 10, a spring date was not feasible. That doesn’t mean, however, that Pacquiao will not be focused. This is a guy who seems to be distracted before every major fight, but his history of work speaks volumes on what you should expect come March.
Floyd Mayweather
- Ring Rust: Despite only having fought once since December 2007 – his last bout, a 12 round unanimous decision over Juan Manuel Marquez in September – Mayweather is a gym rat who never comes under-conditioned or ill-prepared. Pacquiao will have the edge in activity, having gone 7-0, 5 KO’s since 2007, but Mayweather should not be counted out.
- Uncle Roger: Roger Mayweather is currently under investigation for allegedly assaulting a female boxer back in October. The Nevada commission has not suspended him pending the charges. A March fight date should not prevent Roger from training his nephew, assuring you will see the very best Floyd Mayweather on the 13.
- Run Floyd, Run: Mayweather doesn’t thrill fans with the exciting knockout, but don’t believe for a second that Mayweather-Pacquiao will turn into Mayweather-Baldomir. Mayweather’s ego is often a turnoff for the casual fan, but that same ego also drives him to perform at his best in his biggest fights. And while Baldomir was a legit welterweight titleholder, his slow, methodical fighting style will never be mistaken for the greatness that resembles Manny Pacquiao.
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